Hackberry

Hackberry is a common name for trees in the genus Celtis, in the family Cannabaceae. The most widespread species include Celtis occidentalis (common hackberry) in North America; Celtis laevigata (sugarberry); and Celtis sinensis (Chinese hackberry) in Asia. Hackberries are deciduous trees that are valued for their toughness and ability to grow in poor soils.

Description: Hackberries are typically medium-sized trees, often reaching 10–20 meters in height with a broad, spreading crown. Leaves are alternate, simple, and oval to oblong with serrated margins; they often have an asymmetrical base. The leaf surface is generally dull green and turns yellow in autumn. The bark is gray to brown and develops a rough, warty texture on older trees. Flowers are inconspicuous and wind-pollinated. Fruit is a small drupe, about 3–6 mm in diameter, maturing from green to orange and finally dark purple or blue, and may persist on the tree into winter.

Habitat and distribution: Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with widespread distribution in North America, Europe, and Asia. Hackberries grow in woodlands, along riverbanks, and in urban landscapes, tolerating drought, heat, and a range of soil conditions.

Ecology and uses: Fruits provide a food source for birds and mammals. Wood is dense and durable but not typically used for high-value timber; it is employed for furniture, crates, and other utilitarian uses. In cultivation, hackberries are prized for hardiness and long life, although fruit drop and branch structure can require maintenance in ornamental plantings.

Pests and diseases: Hackberries can be affected by cedar-hackberry rust, a rust disease involving junipers as an alternate host. Hackberry nipple gall mite can cause nipple-like galls on leaves. Management is usually limited to cultural practices; chemical control is rarely necessary.